Visiting the Roemers in Ligerz

We were invited to the Roemers after church. They live in the most picturesque town, on the shore of the Bielersee (Lake Biel). This is the front of their house. It is four stories tall, and their "section" of the row is probably 25 feet wide, and maybe 30 feet deep. The bottom floor is their "basement". Then stairs lead to the living room and a little kitchen and bath on the next floor. More stairs to the main kitchen, eating area and family room. Then up another flight to 3 small bedrooms, with two opening to a balcony. There is also a bathroom, and our favorite, a bunk built out over the stairwell. They still heat the house with a wood stove. And they raised six children in this house.

Their "street" was more the size of an alley. But then again, these buildings were constructed in the 1600's. I bet the street was wide enough then! Sis. Roemer is standing by their front door.

We hiked through the terraced vineyards. I was surprised that the terraces were just earth, with no retaining structures. Perhaps it was because the hills weren't that steep (although my legs might not agree with that!).

As we looked behind us, we had a great view of the Bielersee (Lake Biel).

We could also see the Roemer's house--we were about half-way up the hill here.

Fall Color

We see this tree from our bedroom window. Fall is beautiful in Switzerland!

We pass this building, a school, on our way to the grocery store. I thought the colors of the building and trees, accented by the red geraniums in the windows, made it worthy of a picture.

Shortly after we arrived, as soon as I could catch my breath, we pulled out our balcony planters and planted pansies, with daffodils, crocus and tulips underneath. The pansies look so happy, and cheer me every time I look at them.

Back in the Saddle Again

We are back in Switzerland, on our second mission. We went home last April for four eventful months. Three weeks after we returned home, we were able to submit our application for a second mission. We were willing to serve anywhere, but had hoped to be able to return here. The folks in Switzerland asked for us to come back, and the Lord agreed that we could. So we returned to the same mission, same assignment, even the same apartment! We skipped the MTC and flew directly to the Mission Home in Munich on August 15.

Ben's Wedding

In April, two weeks after we got home, Ben married Hannah Edwards in the Oakland Temple. All eight kids were there, even Daniel with a broken leg! And most of the grandchildren, as well.

Mom's 90th Birthday

In May, we helped Sue's Mom celebrate her 90th birthday. We played our alphorns, and had a great time, along with 100 other guests!

The Family Reunion

In August, we had a huge family reunion in Washington State, with my Mom, her children, grandchildren and great-granchildren--over 81 in all! All of our family except Anna and her family and Tim were able to come. There was lots of visiting, and it was over too soon!

More Fun at Home

When cousins get together, it's fun for them, and fun for us to watch!

Time for Goodbye's

Our last night at home. We came back from being set apart, and had the last picture with the Brentwood grandchildren. The next morning found us underway before 5AM, first to San Francisco, and then on to Munich.

First Transfer already!

We jumped right in, and were very, very busy our first few weeks! Before we knew it, it was transfer time, and we were watching our Elders get ready for their last District group photo.

Bringing the Whiteboard home

One of our first jobs was to set up an office to double as a classroom. This is how you bring a whiteboard home on a tram. We tied it on to our trusty wheeled shopping cart, and managed to get it on to the tram and out of the way of the other passengers. And still had room to sit down!

Bern Ward's Raclette Evening

They don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Switzerland. But they do have Raclette parties in the Fall. This is the set-up for Bern Ward's party. We couldn't go (darn it! We had another obligation), but doesn't it look inviting!

I loved this table decoration!

A Swiss Salt Mine

We visited the "Saline Ribourg" one night with the Stake Council. It is a real salt mine, only they use water instead of people to bring the salt up, and then they evaporate the brine. That is all salt you see, not snow!

They have another storage facility, a geodesic dome, all made of wood, that holds probably 10 times as much salt. And don't worry, no-one will eat this salt. This is for roads.